The Merseyside thrower Weathers Huge Test as 'The Royal Bengal' Makes A Landmark for Indian Darts.
The tournament's fourth seed survived a monumental scare to progress into the next stage of the world darts championship on the opening weekend.
'The Bullet', who was a beaten semi-finalist last year, was forced all the way to a final-set shootout by Poland’s Sebastian Bialecki before securing a 3-2 victory at Alexandra Palace.
A Turbulent Encounter
Bunting stormed out of the blocks, averaging an incredible 119.4 as he powered through the first set. He looked in total control after hitting a spectacular 160 finish to take the second set.
Nevertheless, ‘The Bullet’ cooled off, and he won just one leg over the next two sets. This enabled Bialecki – who remained oblivious even when a wasp settled on his shoulder – to draw level. Bunting found his rhythm in the final set, but was still pushed to the limit before securing it 4-2.
“Competing at Alexandra Palace you feel all the emotions,” Bunting told broadcasters. “I knew Sebastian was going to be tough and even at 2-0 he never surrendered. I am lucky to come through that one.”
Kumar Makes Historic Victory
Bunting's next opponent will be 'The Royal Bengal', who made history by becoming the initial victor from India at the championship. He overcame the Netherlands' Richard Veenstra 3-2 in a thrilling contest.
The veteran player, who had lost in all four of his previous first-round matches, suggested this breakthrough could have “created a pathway to a billion potential” darts players from his homeland.
“Words fail me right now. I’m overwhelmed, I’m thrilled,” Kumar expressed. “If you dream it, anything is possible. This vision motivated me ever since I saw Dennis Priestley win the World Championship.”
He joked with a humorous prediction: “I’m sorry, a decade from now if you have multiple players in the world championship entering to Indian film songs, you know who started it.”
Further First-Round Results
- Darren Beveridge: The Scottish debutant made an convincing start, averaging 91.62 in a dominant 3-0 win over Belgium's Dimitri Van den Bergh, who won just one leg.
- Jonny Tata: Another debutant, from New Zealand, ended the hopes of world No. 27 Ritchie Edhouse with a commanding 3-0 victory.
- Dom Taylor: The fellow newcomer saw off Sweden’s Oskar Lukasiak by the same 3-0 margin.
- Joe Cullen: The world No. 32 was in good form as he eased past Bradley Brooks 3-0.
- Wesley Plaisier: The Dutchman overcame Germany’s Lukas Wenig 3-1.
- James Hurrell: Concluded the evening's play with a 3-1 victory over American Stowe Buntz.
